USS Illinois Crew and Commissioning Committee Visits Capitol

on
Monday, May 04, 2015

On April 29, crew
members and commissioning team members for the new USS Illinois nuclear
submarine were welcomed to Springfield. They were recognized in the House of Representatives
and also had a display and replica model of the vessel in the rotunda for the
day.

The submarine is
approaching two significant milestones in its service life. The vessel, which will operate as SSN 786, is
approaching its launch date on the East Coast.
Following launch, the submersible will be carefully fueled and fitted
out for service; when the fitting-out process is complete, the vessel will
enjoy a second ceremony, that of being commissioned as an active warship on the
rolls of the Navy. At that time the
vessel will be entitled to the full name of “U.S.S. Illinois.”

Friends of the “Illinois”
have set up a committee to
support the vessel and the personnel that have built and will man it. By custom, civilian committees like this one
are responsible for much of the financial support necessary to celebrate the
vessel’s launch and entry into active service.
HR 200, sponsored by State Representatives
Keith Wheeler and Jeanne Ives, applauds the approaching entry of the “Illinois”
into service.

The Committee
told House members they will not only help organize and raise money for events
surrounding the launching and commissioning, but also provide ongoing support
for the ship and its crew after commissioning. As a nuclear-powered submarine,
the vessel will be available for three-month tours of duty, during which time
the vessel may not touch the surface of the water.